Spring-tire.



F. LOTTER.

SPRING TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6. I915.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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avwewifo z FRANKLIN LETTER ms COLUMBIA PL/u loaRAPn co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

F. LOTTER.

SPRING TIRE.

APPLICATION FlLED.|ULY6 1915- 1, 174,879. Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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THE COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH cm. WAsHuqo'icN. D. c.

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ELKTON, MICHIGAN.

ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-THIRD TO AERON ONE-THIRD TO JOSEPH HEATON, OF

SPRING-TIRE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 7, 191a.

Application filed July 6, 1915. Serial No. 38,242.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN Lorrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkton, in the county of Huron and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Tires; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to useful improvements in vehicle tires and more particularly to those of the type employing a plurality of shock absorbing springs, the object of the invention being to improve upon the general construction of devices of this class to such an extent as to not only provide atire which may be simply and inexpensively manufactured and marketed, but which will be highly efficient and durable.

To this end, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and in after claimed and fully described by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a tire constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the application thereof transverse section taken on the plane designated by the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the normal positions of the cushioning springs; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the positions which the springs assume under excessive strain; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along'the planes designated by the irregular line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal unique combinations of parts to be hereinsection through a portion of the tread mem- 3 her.

In describing the invention, similar reference characters will be placed on corre sponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 having reference to the felly of a vehicle wheel, said felly being surrounded by a rim band 2 which may be secured thereto in any appropriate manner.

Contacting with the outer curved side of the band 2 and disposed in a number of circumferentially spaced transversely alined pairs, is a plurality of spacing blocks 3 adjacent whose outer sides the inner ends of a number of pairs of transversely alined C- i are dlSPOSGClpQthBlI inner and outer edges anchored reshaped cushioning springs side of said band and 7 passed bolts 5 being passed through said inner ends of the springs 4:, through the spacing blocks 3 and the rim band 2, and having nuts 6 on their inner ends disposed in cavitree 7 formed in the outer edges of the felly 1. The outer ends of the springs 4: are positioned adjacent the inner sides of a plurality of spacing blocks 8, these blocks being therefore positioned in transversely alined pairs.

Contacting with the outer sides of the blocks 8, is a plurality of parallel transversely disposed flat springs 9 preferably formed of two leaves as are likewise the springs 4. Securing the parts just described 1n position, is a plurality of bolts 10 which pass through the opposite ends of the springs 9, through the outer ends of the springs 1, and through the intervening spacing blocks 8.

Surrounding and contacting with the series of springs 9, is a band 11 of leather or the like, while contacting with the outer disposed in overlapping relation in respect to the springs 9, are additional fiat springs 12, bolts 13 being through the adjacent ends of the springs 9 and 12, the heads of these bolts being inset in an appropriate tread 14 formed of leather, solid rubber, or other suitable material. By this construction any portion of the tread member 14 may yield inwardly when obstructions in the roadway are encountered, this being allowed by the resilient qualities of the springs 9 and 12 and by the pliability of the band 11. Needless to say, when the parts yield in this manner, the spring units formed by the several pairs of springs 4: absorb the shocks and jars which would otherwise be transmitted directly to the vehicle. Under normal conditions, the bends 1 of the springs 1 which are disposed toward each other are spaced apart as shown in Fig. 2, but under excessive strain, the springs are so compressed as to cause such bends to abut each other as disclosed in Fig. 3, thus preventing compression to such an extent as to cause breakage.

In addition to the parts above described, a pair of dust rings 15 of leather. canvas or the like, is preferably provided, these rings being positioned between the springs 4: on opposite sides of the wheel and having 7 springs and the blocks 3, and between the outer ends to said springs and the blocks,

the portions of the rings 15 between the several spring units, however, being secured to the bands 2 and 11 as indicated at 15. By the provision of the rings in question, the entrance of dust, dirt and the like, between the rim and tread members is prevented. V V t From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying draw ings, it will be evident that although a com paratively simple and inexpensive construction has been provided for the attainment" of the results desired, thevcomplete device will-be highly efficient and durable. I

In the drawings, certain specific details of construction have been shown for accom-- plishing probably the best results, and It,

it outer springs and through the intervening the appended the springs on the outer side thereof. a rim member spaced inwardly fromsaid band, and cushioning means interposed between the foregoing such details have been described, but it is to be understood that I need not be restricted thereto, otherwise than to the extent to which claims limit me,

I claim 1. In combination, a rim member, a tread member surrounding andfspaced therefrom, a plurality of spring units interposed between the two members and each comprising a pair of transversely alined C-shaped springs having their-ends disposed outwardly and secured said members'and the adjacent bends of the springs, said rings having their edges anhored adjacentthe rim and tread members.

4. In combination, a flat pliable circular the inner side thereof and spaced circumof the aforesaid springs. fasteners passing through the ad acent ends ofthe innerand band, a treadsurrounding the band and member surrounding and spaced therefrom, theinner springs and said rim member.

and a plurality of spring units interposed between the two members and each comprislng apair of transversely alined C-shaped springs havingtheir ends disposed .out-

wardly andsecured to the edge portions of said members, the bends of said springsbeing disposed'adjacent each other in spaced relation and being yieldable inwardly upon compression. 7 i r 2. In combination, a rim member, a tread member surrounding and spaced therefrom, a plurality of spring units interposed be tween the two members and each comp'rising a pair of transversely alined C-shaped springs having their ends disposed outwardly adjacent the edge'portions ofthe 5.,In combination. a flat pliable circular band, fiat springs disposed in contact with;

to the edge portions of said members, the bends of said springs being disposed adjacent each other, and-a pair of flexible shield rings interposed between ferentially f'rom eachother, additional fiat springs disposed in contact with the outer side of said band and having their ends arranged in overlapped relation with the ends band, flat springs disposed in contact with the inner side thereof and spaced circumlferentiallv from each other, additional fiat springs disposed in contact with the outer side of said band and having their ends arranged in overlapped relation with the ends of the aforesaid springs. fasteners passing through the adjacent ends of the inner and outer springs and through the intervening band, a tread surrounding the band and the springs on the outer side thereof. a rim memberspaced inwardly from saidband,

and a plurality of spring. unitswdisposcd one between each of the innermost springs and the rim member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set w Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

